Abbas Ashkanani

KUWAIT CITY, July 7:  After years of suspension, beach volleyball competitions are set to return in Kuwait with the announcement of two local championships in the upcoming 2025–2026 season, according to Abbas Ashkanani, head of the Beach Volleyball Committee at the Kuwait Volleyball Federation and an international referee.

Ashkanani confirmed that the committee has begun coordinating with local clubs regarding their participation and the scheduling of these tournaments, marking a major step in reviving the sport domestically.

In parallel with these efforts, training for the men’s and women’s youth national beach volleyball teams has officially begun at the Al-Jazirah Al-Khadra courts. The teams are preparing for two key upcoming competitions:

West Asian Championship: August 31 – September 6

Arab Championship: September 6 – 10

Both events will be hosted in Lebanon.

Ashkanani revealed the preliminary men's youth roster, which includes:

Abdulwahab Talib, Jassim Al-Sabbagh, Nawaf Al-Shammari, Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, Ahmed Diaa, and Saud Al-Hashem.

The preliminary women’s team includes:

Ghadeer Al-Sayegh, Munira Yousef, Alaa Al-Enezi, Asayel Al-Enezi, Shamail Al-Enezi, and Dana Mansour.

Both teams are being trained under the leadership of national coach Ahmed Abdul-Razzaq. The current extended squads will eventually be narrowed down to two final teams per category to represent Kuwait in the championships.

Ashkanani expressed optimism about the return of beach volleyball to the local sports scene and emphasized the importance of youth development in building a strong foundation for future success on the regional and international stage.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff